Ireland
parliamentary republicIndependence 6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)
Ireland as the 2016 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 164 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century saw the population of the island drop by one third through starvation and emigration.
For more than a century after that the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU. The modern Irish state traces its origins to the failed 1916 Easter Monday Uprising that touched off several years of guerrilla warfare resulting in independence from the UK in 1921 for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. Unresolved issues in Northern Ireland erupted into years of violence known as the "Troubles" that began in the 1960s.
The Government of Ireland was part of a process along with the UK and US Governments that helped broker what is known as The Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland in 1998. This initiated a new phase of cooperation between the Irish and British Governments. Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the euro-zone currency union in 1999.
The economic boom years of the Celtic Tiger (1995-2007) saw rapid economic growth, which came to an abrupt end in 2008 with the meltdown of the Irish banking system. Today the economy is recovering, fueled by large and growing foreign direct investment, especially from US multi-nationals.
Geography
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
19 fieldsLocation
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Climate
- temperate maritime;
- modified by North Atlantic Current;
- mild winters, cool summers;
- consistently humid;
- overcast about half the time
Terrain
mostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Land use
- agricultural land:
- 66.1%;
- arable land 15.4%;
- permanent crops 0%;
- permanent pasture 50.7%
- forest:
- 10.9%
- other:
- 23% (2011 est.)
Population - distribution
- population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest agglomeration being in and around Dublin;
- populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
- signed, but not ratified:
- Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin
People and Society
34 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2016 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2016 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2011 est.)
Religions(2011 est.)
Languages
English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 38.7% of the population as a first or second language in 2011; mainly spoken in areas along the western coast)
Population distribution
- population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest agglomeration being in and around Dublin;
- populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years:
- 1 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.86 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Government
Parliamentary republic; President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011); Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda KENNY (since 9 March 2011)
22 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Senate, 158 seats, elected in 27 April 2011one dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- none
- conventional short form:
- Ireland
- local long form:
- none
- local short form:
- Eire
- etymology:
- the modern Irish name "Eire" evolved from the Gaelic "Eriu," the name of the matron goddess of Ireland (goddess of the land);
- the names "Ireland" in English and "Eire" in Irish are direct translations of each other
Capital
- name:
- Dublin
- geographic coordinates:
- 53 19 N, 6 14 W
- time difference:
- UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- daylight saving time:
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions
28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo , Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
Constitution
- history:
- previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937
- amendments:
- proposed as bills in Parliament;
- passage requires majority vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives, majority vote in a referendum, and presidental signature;
- amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)
Legal system
common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
- citizenship by birth:
- yes
- citizenship by descent:
- yes
- dual citizenship recognized:
- yes
- residency requirement for naturalization:
- 4 of the previous 8 years
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011)
- head of government:
- Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda KENNY (since 9 March 2011);
- KENNY resigns 9 March 2016;
- reelected prime minister on 6 May 2016
- cabinet:
- Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)
- elections/appointments:
- president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term);
- election last held on 29 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018);
- taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president
- election results:
- Michael D. HIGGINS elected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS (Labor Party) 39.6%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 28.5%, Martin MCGUINNESS (Sinn Fein) 13.7%, Gay MITCHELL (Fine Gael) 6.4%, David NORRIS (independent) 6.2%, other 5.6%
Legislative branch
- description:
- bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 43 members indirectly elected by panels of various vocational interests, 11 appointed by the prime minister, and 6 elected by graduates of the University of Dublin and the National University of Ireland; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (158 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
- elections:
- Senate - last held in 27 April 2011 (next to be held probably in 2016);
- House of Representatives - last held on 26 February 2016 (next to be held probably in 2021)
- election results:
- Senate - percent of vote by party - NA;
- seats by party - Fine Gael 19, Fianna Fail 14, Labor Party 12, Sinn Fein 3, independent 12;
- House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fine Gael 25.5%, Fianna Fail 24.4%, Sinn Fein 13.8%, Labor Party 6.6%, AAA-PBD 4.0%, Social Democrats 3.0%, Green Party 2.7%, Renua Ireland 2.2% independents 17.8%;
- seats by party - Fine Gael 50, Fianna Fail 44, Sinn Fein 23, Labor Party 7, AAA-PBP 6, Social Democrats 3, Green Party 2, independent 23
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Ireland (consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members - the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal - and organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law)
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president;
- chief justice serves in the position for 7 years;
- judges can serve until age 70
- subordinate courts:
- High Court, Court of Appeal;
- circuit and district courts;
- criminal courts
Political parties and leaders
- Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit or AAA-PBP [collective leadership]
- Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN]
- Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]
- Green Party [Eamon RYAN]
- Labor (Labour) Party [Brendan HOWLIN]
- Renua Ireland [John LEAHY]
- Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]
- Social Democratic Party [Stephen DONNELLY, Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL]
- Socialist Party [collective leadership]
- The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Continuity IRA (terrorist group)
- Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian MCCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence)
- Iona Institute [David QUINN] (a conservative Catholic think tank)
- Irish Anti-War Movement [Richard BOYD BARRETT] (campaigns against wars around the world)
- Keep Ireland Open (environmental group)
- Oglaigh na hEireann (terrorist group)
- Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters)
- New Irish Republican Army (terrorist group combining elements of the former Real IRA and Republican Action Against Drugs)
- Peace and Neutrality Alliance [Roger COLE] (campaigns to protect Irish neutrality)
- Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters)
- 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports unifying Northern Ireland with the rest of the island under Irish government sovereignty)
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Anne Colette ANDERSON (since 28 August 2013)
- chancery:
- 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 462-3939
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 232-5993
- consulate(s) general:
- Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Kevin F. O'MALLEY (since 8 October 2014)
- embassy:
- 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
- mailing address:
- use embassy street address
- telephone:
- [353] (1) 668-8777
- FAX:
- [353] (1) 668-9946
Flag description
- three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange;
- officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland;
- orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange);
- white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange
note: similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy,
which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red
National anthem
- name:
- "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)
- lyrics/music:
- Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
note: adopted 1926; instead of "Amhran na bhFiann," the song "Ireland's Call" is often used at athletic events where citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team
Economy
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy.
41 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2015 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
Economy - overview
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002.
GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009.
These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program.
In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up and GDP grew by 5.2%. The recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 2.5% of GDP. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program.
Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth reached 7.8%, the highest growth in the EU for the second consecutive year.
In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been key factors in encouraging business investment.
Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to avoid taxation. Amid growing international pressure, the government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a loophole.
Gross national saving
27.7% of GDP (2015 est.) · 23.9% of GDP (2014 est.) · 21.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Industries
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices
Distribution of family income - Gini index
31.3 (2013 est.) · 35.9 (1987 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Public debt
101.2% of GDP (2015 est.) · 107.6% of GDP (2014 est.) note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions country comparison to the world: 14
Central bank discount rate
0.05% (31 December 2015) · 0.15% (31 August 2014) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area country comparison to the world: 145
Commercial bank prime lending rate
3.4% (31 December 2015 est.) · 3.41% (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Stock of narrow money
$140.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) · $143.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders country comparison to the world: 28
Stock of broad money
$255.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $267.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Stock of domestic credit
$340.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) · $380.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Current account balance
$10.6 billion (2015 est.) · $9.08 billion (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Exports - commodities
machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals; foodstuffs, animal products
Imports - commodities
data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$1.748 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $1.635 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Debt - external
$1.96 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) · $2.078 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$878.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) · $831.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$961.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) · $939.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.885 (2015 est.) · 0.7525 (2014 est.) · 0.7634 (2013 est.) · 0.78 (2012 est.) · 0.7185 (2011 est.)
Energy
24 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2016)
Installed generating capacity, 9.1 million kW(2013 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2014 es) country comparison to the world: 81
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
34 million Mt (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Communications
6 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(July 2015 est.)
Telephone system
- general assessment:
- modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay
- domestic:
- system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas
- international:
- country code - 353;
- landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK;
- satellite earth stations - 81 (2014)
Broadcast media
- publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations;
- commercial TV stations are available;
- about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations;
- RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations;
- a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2014)
Transportation
11 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right
Networkskm
National air transport system
- number of registered air carriers:
- 6; inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 431
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:
- 113,144,501
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers:
- 138.58 million mt-km (2015)
Railways
- total:
- 3,237 km
- broad gauge:
- 1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (49 km electrified)
- narrow gauge:
- 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2014)
country comparison to the world: 55
Roadways
- total:
- 96,036 km
- paved:
- 96,036 km (includes 1,224 km of expressways) (2014)
country comparison to the world: 49
Merchant marine
- total:
- 31
- by type:
- cargo 28, chemical tanker 2, container 1
- foreign-owned:
- 5 (France 2, Spain 1, US 2)
- registered in other countries:
- 33 (Bahamas 3, Bermuda 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Kazakhstan 1, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Netherlands 8, Panama 1, Russia 1, Slovakia 1, Sweden 1, UK 1) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 84
Ports and terminals
- major seaport(s):
- Dublin, Shannon Foynes
- river port(s):
- Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir)
- container port(s) (TEUs):
- Dublin (1,931,001)
Military and Security
Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn), Permanent Defence Forces (PDF): Army, Naval Service, Air Corps; Reserve Defence Forces (RDF): Army, Naval Service Reserves (2014)
3 fieldsMilitary branches
- Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn), Permanent Defence Forces (PDF): ;
- Reserve Defence Forces (RDF): Army, Naval Service Reserves (2014)
Military service age and obligation
- 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF; 18-27 years of age for the Naval Service);
- 18-28 for cadetship (officer) applicants;
- 18-35 years of age for the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF);
- maximum obligation 12 years (PDF officers), 5 years (PDF enlisted), 3 years RDF (4 years for Naval Service Reserves);
- EU citizenship, refugee status, or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2014)
Transnational Issues
3 fieldsDisputes - international
Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
Illicit drugs
- transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs;
- increasing consumption of South American cocaine;
- minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe;
- despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Ireland.” The World Factbook 2016. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/ireland/2016.